Not all flooding in homes is due to severe weather—pipes can burst, appliances may leak, and sewers can back up. Whatever the reason for your home flooding, it is not only devastating, but it can result in structural problems, safety hazards, and even health issues.
You MUST ACT FAST! Mold can start developing in as little as 24 hours! But where do you begin this overwhelming process?
The flood restoration experts at Onsite Restoration have put together a list of seven steps to follow after you have experienced a home flooding event.
No two water damage events are the same. Each home flooding may require a different solution, but the general process remains the same.
Step 1: Locate and Stop the Leak
Your first priority is to locate the source of the water damage/leak.
Is the flooding coming from a burst or broken pipe? Is your dishwasher or refrigerator leaking? Is your water heater dripping? Or is your leaky roof the culprit?
Once you know where the water is coming from you need to stop it from causing more damage. If the water is not roof or weather-related, you will want to shut off the main water line at the shutoff valve.
If the water is coming through a leaky roof, it is very important to mitigate any further damage—if possible and safe, place a tarp over the trouble spots on the roof.
ON TOPIC > Prepare Your Home Now for Hurricane Season
Step 2: Stay Safe
No matter the extent of the water involved in your home’s flooding, safety is crucial. To ensure that you and your family are safe, follow these steps:
Turn Off The Power
Remember water and electricity don’t mix. Turn off the electricity if you can. If you cannot safely turn off the electricity, call an electrician. If you must leave your home, do not reenter your home if the electricity is still on.
Wear Safety Gear
Mold and mold spores can start growing in any amount of moisture in just a short amount of time. Wear protective clothing, such as rubber boots, gloves, and a mask. This gear will keep you safe from injuries, bacteria, and dangerous mold spores.
Protect Your Belongings
If it is safe, you can lift any wood furniture off wet carpeted areas and remove any rugs from the area. Any valuables can be placed on higher ground as well.
Step 3: Call Your Insurance Company
When you call your insurance company, they will send an adjuster to your home to assess the damage and determine if it is a covered loss.
Make sure to document any and all damage before, during, and after restoration—documentation is best done through photographs. This will allow the insurance company’s adjuster to visually see the damage and loss.
Depending on what type of homeowners’ insurance policy you have will depend on what is covered and not covered. This is something that you will discuss with your insurance company.
Check your insurance. Not all homeowners’ insurance policies cover flood damage.
Step 4: Contact the Professionals
Contact a professional water damage restoration company, like Onsite Restoration. Our specialists will guide you through the process and respond to the water emergency quickly and efficiently.
Having a professional out to your home to inspect and assess the water damage will allow them to create a plan of action for a successful restoration.
Step 5: Clean-up the Water Damage
Though we recommend the help of a professional restoration and remediation company to ensure that your home is restored correctly, if are trying to take care of the clean-up process yourself you will need to make sure you follow these steps:
- Remove and extract all water
- Dry and dehumidify the space
- Clean and sanitize anything that the water damage has affected. This can include any type of belongings such as furniture or clothing, but it also includes the walls, ceilings, and floors.
ON TOPIC > Prevent Mold Growth After Water Damage or Flooding
Step 6: Restore Your Home
After you have successfully removed and extracted all the water and have safely cleaned and sanitized your home and belongings, you can now start restoring your home to its original state.
Depending on the flooding, this step can be relatively minor or more complex. You may need to replace a few drywall panels, redo the flooring, or you might need to reconstruct an entire room.
Flood restoration and mold remediation is best left to the experienced professionals at Onsite Restoration. Our certified technicians are available 24/7, 365 days a year to assist you.
Step 7: Move Back In!
Once you get the green light from your insurance company and your restoration company, you may now move back into your clean, dry, mold-free, and restored home!
Rebuild After a Flood
Time is of the essence when it comes to home flooding. The longer you wait to contact Onsite Restoration the more damage that may occur to your home and to your health. You will also have to prove to your insurance company that you attempted to mitigate the damage in order to receive the most compensation.
Onsite Restoration specializes in water damage restoration due to any type of water damage or flooding. If you are unsure about what steps you should take to restore your home to its pre-flooding condition, call us at 813-579-5789.
